Time to act on rural dreams
With social distance in spades and friendly locals who support small producers, the benefits of life on a small farm are mounting, writes Camille Smith.
I KNOW where I’d rather be sitting.
Given the choice between this Officeworks chair that is moulding to my backside or bouncing along a farm access track in the driver’s seat of a ute, I’d take the latter any day.
Life on a farm may have its downsides, but the benefits – open space, fresh air, the autonomy to run your own business producing fresh food that is in demand, and freedom to roam for hectares – outweigh them, particularly now.
Don’t take my word for it, though.
Just check out Farm’s exclusive report on Page 12 that reveals sales of small-acreage properties across Victoria are going from strength to strength, with the pandemic tipped to trigger a new rural rush.
In this issue, we share stories of several young upstarts who have said goodbye to the city to run small farm businesses. Many are discovering regional communities throw firm support behind local operators.
The pair of gorgeous grape growers on our cover – Al Johnson and Adriana D’Amico – are the team behind Bandicoot Run vineyard at Longwarry. They explain why they abandoned their desk-bound architecture careers to pursue organic viticulture.
In our treechanger Special Report, ex-corporate lawyer Sarah Ajzner reveals why she and her husband, Daniel, chose Macedon Ranges to set up a goat dairy and raise their family.
And a young speech pathologist and his partner, from Tokyo, credit success of their new vegie-box business to the huge supportive customer base in Wangaratta.
Plus, experienced orchardists Gary and Heather Pollard tell the surprising story of how demand for their apples and pears has gone gangbusters during the pandemic. Enjoy.
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